Bible Sunday reflection on youth, faith, vocation discernment

In this article, we wish to offer some suggestions which parents and teachers on the one hand, and young people on the other, can take note of in the application of Scripture to the faith development of young people. It is hoped that these reflections will assist young people as they discern how God is leading them to a vocation as disciples who seek to follow Jesus more faithfully in their way of life.

Two areas where parents and teachers can apply scripture in the development of faith and discernment to their children

1. Starting them young for their ultimate future

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn away from it (Proverbs 22:6).

This faith training which leads to growth in discernment is crucial for developing the young person. It exposes the modern counterculture of death which is hardly any improvement for life and its future. The young people are faced with a superficial lifestyle without dealing seriously with the root problems of a narcissistic society. A culture where faith is not at its centre degenerates inevitably into chaos and crisis. Without a positive environment of faith and the teaching of scripture instilled upon the young, the backlash of a culture of death, will keep the young in a state of stupor and uncertainty.

The training of faith teaches the young how to endure difficulties and pain. This is especially rewarding when the crisis of life hits them. Faith that comes from suffering helps them to recognise the strength they need to endure the trials of life that must come. We rejoice greatly in our suffering because it produces endurance, and endurance produces character (Romans 5:3).

2. Rooting their children in faith

The first seven chapters of the book of Proverbs exhorts children to listen to their father. Listen my children to your father’s instruction (Proverbs 1:8; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1; 7:1).

There is a godly wisdom that is handed down to a child by parents and by no other means. The child can never acquire this on its own. Submission to an elder and to a life of faith is the foundation of all learning. Creating a teachable spirit upon the young is the quintessence of a successful parent. And how from infancy you have known the sacred scriptures that are able to instruct you and save you through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)

Teaching faith is crucial because the so-called “logical world” cannot provide adequate answers about the true purpose of life. This aspect of faith comes from a proper explanation of the scriptures. To inspire and reinforce faith, repetition and focus are needed because of the godless existence of an environment of faithlessness. We live in a state that does not value prayer, faith, and reflection. Distraction is the order of the day. As the human mind receives thousands of stimuli, both positive and negative, the natural ability of the brain is enhanced when, with singleness of purpose, young people centre their attention upon a desired object of study. (Dr Richard J Forster, Celebration of Discipline. The discipline of study.) The task is to root the child with constant links to a life and teaching of faith.

Two areas young people can apply scripture to their development of faith and discernment of vocation

1. Rekindle the gift of God

For this reason, I remind you to rekindle, (fan into flame) the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)

What is this gift of God? It refers to the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit to equip a young person in faith to be of service. Some may have the gift to teach catechism, another to be part of a choir and yet another to work among the poor.

St Paul uses the word “stir up” or “fan into flame,” , it means to keep blazing and to keep the flame of fire burning. It could also mean to rekindle or to re-stir the flame, indicating that the flame could be dying out. Sometimes a young person needs to be re-stirred and rekindled. “Zeal is required to stir up the gift of God for it lies within our power to kindle or to quench grace. By laziness and carelessness, it is extinguished, and by attentiveness and diligence it is kept aflame” (St John Chrysostom, homilies on 2 Timothy 1).

The idea of “stirring up” is in the present tense, which means it is progressive and a continuous action. The young person is to keep stirring up his gifts, never letting its flame lose its intensity. Every young person anointed with the Holy Spirit at Confirmation possesses a very special grace. God has gifted him or her with a special vocation in faith. The young person must therefore do exactly what God has gifted them to do.

2. In the spirit of power, love, and self-control

“God has not given us a spirit of timidity but rather a spirit of power and of love and self-control.” (2 Tim 1:7)

Too often young people fear standing up for Jesus and his Church not because they do not love God but because they fear ridicule. One may feel the embarrassment of being called “holy.”  Mockery and criticism follow if a mistake occurs. Opposition from elders that “You are not mature enough” or being abused for standing up for justice reinforces these fears. Every young person at one time or another will experience such an obstacle when witnessing to their faith.

It is precisely for this reason the Holy Spirit infuses power into the heart of the young person to face the strain of difficulties and trials…power to take on a job and do it well; power to be confident in proclaiming Jesus both in deed and word; power to withstand the temptations of darkness and sin. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power in your inner being (Ephesians 3:16; Acts 1:8: 4:33)

Paul is quick to add love into any gift of the Holy Spirit so that it will be well executed in a wise and mature manner. “Follow the manner of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts” (1 Cor 14:1). The kind of love that Paul speaks about is “agape” love. (Greek: unconditional sacrificial love) Agape love is God’s love. God alone possesses it therefore only God alone can infuse it through the Holy Spirit, “…and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

To make it complete, the Holy Spirit infuses self-discipline meaning, a disciplined character (1 Tim 1::7) with self-control which is the final fruit of the spirit (cf. Gal 5:22) Self-control is the mastery over one’s mind, heart, and actions despite the opposition. Self-control makes a mockery of the superficiality of our age. It bares opens the immaturity and the curse of instant satisfaction which results in a vicious cycle of a hangover, shame, and destruction. It calls young people to move beyond surface living into what is genuine and meaningful.

For the many young people who are in bondage caused by pornography, fornication, drugs, and drinking; scripture has strong warnings on the condition of their soul. “They are blots and blemishes, reveling in the pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable, they are experts of greed – an accursed brood” (2 Peter 2: 13b- 14). Even for the lukewarm and self-confident, St Augustine cautions, “we are lost when we are satisfied with our condition.”

Self-control and spiritual disciplines are not simply for saints or sinners but rather are the ordinary means of seeking liberation. The church calls this abstinence or penance.

Conclusion

Therefore, if any young person like Timothy be guided by faith and is willing to respond to the stirring of the gifts, inevitably the young person will develop and progress in his capacity to discern what is true “agape” love and the mastery of self-control.

The testimony of hundreds of case studies has proven that the young can be victorious in their struggle against the dark world of sin and shame. It is to these young ones who are willing to plunge into sacred scriptures, whom none else can instruct better but one willing to keep the word of God in his heart. (cf Psalm 119:9-11)

Ultimately it is the young people that Pope Francis sees as the future of our humanity with the vision of faith enkindled in their hearts. Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Day 2017 states, that young people are the hope of mission.

“The person of Jesus Christ and the Good News he proclaims continue to attract many young people to a vocation as disciples, following in the footsteps of their Divine Master. With courage and enthusiasm, they seek ways to put themselves at the service of humanity. “There are many young people who offer their solidarity in the face of the evils of the world and engage in various forms of militancy and volunteering … How beautiful it is to see that young people are street preachers, joyfully bringing Jesus to every street, every town square and every corner of the earth!” (Message of Pope Francis, for World Mission Day 2017- Mission at the heart of the Christian Faith-106)

Questions for reflection

1. Who are the elders, mentors, and heroes in your life that have shown you the beauty of faith and scripture?
2. What is the primary requirement for a young person embarking on the faith journey?
3. Do you agree that the discipline of self-control is essential to counter a culture of death? Why?
4. How can I pursue a life of joy, strength, and purpose as a young person?

Bible Sunday falls on July 8 this year.